Page 15 of Restricted List

“And you’ve always loved that, haven’t you?”

“Yes,” she sighs. “You’re definitely entertaining.”

“Never a dull moment.” I bring my coffee to my lips, taking a sip as I try to ease my nerves. Things may not be awkward between us now, but my heart will always race when she’s around. “You have any plans for the rest of the day?” I ask, keeping the conversation moving.

“Dinner tonight with your sister and Lucia,” Rory explains. “We’re flying to Vegas for Ella’s bachelorette party the morning after Thanksgiving. We’ve got three weeks to make sure we have everything planned.”

“Ah, shit,” I sigh. “That means we have four weeks to get everything set for Josh’s bachelor party.”

“You guys are going to a cabin,” Rory laughs lightly. “Other than packing a shit ton of beer and everything you can find decorated with a pair of tits, how much do you really need?”

I choke on my coffee. “I will never get used to your lack of filter.”

“If there’s one thing I’m certain you know about me, Pierce,” she replies, flipping her dark curls over her shoulder, “it’s that I say whatever I’m thinking.”

It’s true; I do know that. And it’s one of my favorite things about her. Rory doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her. She’s unapologetically herself, and it’s so fucking sexy.

Before we can dissolve back into conversation, a little voice cuts through the chatter around us. “Wory!”

“Sagie!” Rory shouts happily. “Where’s your daddy?”

“Chasing her around,” Lane says, jogging up beside me and trying to catch his breath. “She’s not even two, and I’m pretty sure she could give Allyson Felix a run for her money.”

“That’s right, Sagie,” I say, grabbing her hand as Rory pulls her into her lap. “You’re a future Olympian, aren’t you?”

“No!”

“I can’t wait for the no phase to end,” Lane gripes as he slides in next to me in the booth. Once settled, a funny look crosses his face. “Since when do you two hang out without the rest of us?”

“Years, Lane,” Rory replies. “We don’t do it often, but we’ve hung out by ourselves numerous times since we met.”

“Really?” He seems surprised. And that surprises me. As perceptive as Lane is with everything else, has he seriously not realized how fucking infatuated I am with Rory?

“Yep,” I say, taking another sip of my coffee. “Why is it so surprising that we’re friends?”

“I know you’re friends. We’re literally all in the same friend group. I guess it’s just a little wei-” Lane cuts off sharply, eyes going wide as a look of panic washes over Rory. “Weird…”

“Lane…” she pleads.

“Cole?!” he asks her, sounding shocked.

Well, I don’t know what Rory told him, but I’m guessing Lane’s figured something out now, too.

“I take it you know as well,” I grumble.

“All I know,” Lane replies, “is that there was an ‘almost’ moment. She didn’t tell me who with, and I’m really surprised to find out it’s one of my teammates.” He turns to face me now. “Skip will ream you if he finds anything out.”

“Nothing happened,” I groan, hands running through my hair as I try to calm myself down. “It was just adrenaline after the World Series.”

“Exactly,” Rory adds, voice wavering.

“Goddammit, I really want to prod more, but the less I know, the more likely it is to be believable when I plead ignorance in the future.”

I lightly shove his shoulder. “Shut the fuck up, man. Nothing happened. Nothing is going to happen.”

“Mhmm,” is all he says, a smirk pulling at his lips.

So, Lane knows as well as Knox. And if Knox knows, I’m certain Harlow knows, too—she was just kind enough to not bring it up at breakfast this morning.

---